Blank-cutting machine



Nov. 13, 1928.

Re. ANDERSON BLANK CUTTING MACHINE Filed Jan. 7, 1927 .6 Sheets-Sheet. l

iNVENTOR (Z duck/mm Nov. 13, 1928. 1,691,796

R. G. ANDERSON BLANK CUTTING momma Filed Jan. 7, 1927 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Nov. 13, 1928.

R. G. ANDERSON BLANK CUTTING MACHINE Filed Jan. 7, 1927 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Nov. 13, 1928.

R.- G. ANDERSON BLANK CUTTING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet. 4

. Filed Jan. 7, 1927 Nov. 13, W28. v 1.691.796

, R. G. ANDERSON BLANK CUTTING-MACHINE Filed Jan. 7, 1927 s Sheets-Sheet 5 v lif 45.7 J

INVENTOR Nov. 13, 19728. 1,691,796

- R. e. ANDERSON BLANK .CUTTING MACHINE Filed Jan. 7, 1927 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Patented Nov. 13, 1928.

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ROLAND a. ANDERSON, or new HAVEN, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR 'ro'n. barman-germ COMPANY, or NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT, A CORPORATION or commctrroo'rff BLANK-CUTTING MACHINE.

Application filed January 7, 1827. Serial No 159,577.

Thisinvention relates to a machine for cutting and embossing blanks. More particularly it relates to a machine for cutting rubber soles from sheet stock and for embossing the same.

In machines for cutting soles, patterns are used which are provided with sharp projections such as a pointed toe or a projection at the heel around which the knife must pass. Machines have been devised for drivmg a knife around thepattern in which the 7 driving means is an endless conveyor w-hich travels in a path having the general shape of the pattern. In these machines it has been customary to dispose'the knife in the rear of the point through which the driving forces are transmitted from the conveyor to the knife carrier. 'The rounding of each turn bythe portion of the conveyor from which the power is transmitted, causes'the knife to tend to .follow a similarca 'se. Consequently with the turns in thepattern andconveyor substantially in alignment, the knife tends to cut through the portion of the pattern projecting into its'path and in resisting this tendency the apparatus is subjected to' excessive strain. Machines of this type, as previously constructed, have passed the knife around the pattern at a rate of speed suflicicntly rapid {to'cause the knife to swing away from the pattern by its own momentum in rounding the sharp turns, thereby causing misshapement of the sole. When used for cutting a blank with an under bevel, it is necessary to provide some means for preventing the knife from injuring the blank when it is removed after the cutting operation. Devices for this purpose have hitherto been relatively complicated and inetiicient.

It is an object of this invention to provide for the smooth rapid movement of a knife around a stationary pattern. It is a further.

- object to provide for the positive engagement of the knife with the pattern when rounding sharp turns of the pattern. Still another ob ect is to provide a mechanism for passing a knife around a pointed pattern without increasing the pressure of the knife against the pattern adjacent the turns of the pattern.

Aiurther object is to provide a simple ex edi ent for removing the knife without in ]ury to the blank after cutting a blank with an under bevel. The invention aims generreference is had to the accompanying speci fication and drawings, iIl WlllCh latter;

Fig. 1 is a side elevation partly in sectionof the upper'part of the machine; Fig, 2 is a side elevation of the portion of the machine below that shown in Fig. l; .65

Fig. 3 is a front elevation partly in sectionf; of the cutting and embossing mechanism; Fig. 4 is a front elevation partly in section? of the portion of the machine below that shown in Fig. 3; 4

Fig. 5 is a section through the bonnet showing the driving mechanism for the knife carrier; Fig. 6 is a section through the sole pattern and work bed showing the knifeblock with the knife in cutting position;

Fig. 7 is a side view of the truck and knife block; 7 Fig.-;8 is a'detail of mechanism; i 4 Fig. 9 is aside view partly in section of the die holder and the pattern supporting which at its uppe end is provided with an overhanging arm The main drive of the machine is,.formed through the following elements: A motor 3 is mounted at the base of the frame 1 by bolts send by means-of chain 5 drives a sprocket 6 freelymounted in ball bearings 7 upon the shaft 8. The sprocket is clutched to the shaft invdrivlng relation by the following elemental The foot lever 9 is pivotally mounted at the base of the machine and normally held in raised position by the tension spring 10. A link 11 connects the lever 9 with an arm of the bell crank lever 12, whichlatter is pivotally mounted u on a bracket 12 which extends from the rame 1. The other arm of the bell crank 12 is pivotally attachedto a sleeve Rio now be described. A head 13 which is keyed loosely to the portion 8 ot the shaft 8 so that it has longitudinal sliding movement thereon. Upon pressing the tool; lever 9 downwardly, the sleeve 13 is moved forwardly pressing against the arm 14 of a well known form of clutch so as to tighten the clutch member 15 against the cooperating clutch member formed by the hub of the sprocket 6. Upon elevation oi?- the foot lever 9, the sleeve 13 moves to a position to release the engagement of the clutch members and brings teeth 16 carried by the sleeve 13 into engagement with a collar 17 which is rigidly connected with the hand wheel 18. Hand wheel 18 is used to turn the machine over manually when desired.

The power is distributed from shaft 8 to operate the machine through two separate trains of connections.

The gear wheel 19 is carried at the opposite end of the shaft 8 and is adapted to mesh with a bevel gear 20 which in turn is rigidly mounted upon the ver ical shaft 22 which drives the cutting mechanism in a manner to be later described.

The cutting means moves around a pattern 26 and is connected by a flexible driving connection to the source of power. The path of this flexible drivingsconncction is caused to gradually approach the exact shape of the pattern by means of the truck guiding late 27 and a leader 28, to be later described, and this truck guiding plate and leader may be given longitudinal movement to lengthen or shorten the paths which they define for the flexible connection, when cutting large or small soles. Worm is mounted upon the shaft 8 and engages a worm wheel 24 which is mounted upon a transversely extending cam shaft 25. A cam 30 is carried thereby to raise and lower tlic work head with respect to the work bed in clamping the work, A second cam 31 carried by the cam shaft 25 causes intermittent raising and lowering of the embossing die 32 whereby the work 33 is suitably cmbossed.

Wow/c clamping mechanism.A primary step in the operation is to clamp the material 33 to be cut, known as the work, securely in place upon a work bed 2!) and the elcments'tor accomplishing this step will 34 is slidably carried in the upper part of the frame 1 and extends outwardly in a general direction parallel to the overhanging arm 2 of machine. This head is automatically or manually moved in the frame 1 to clamp or release the work by means of a driving connection including the adjustable spindle '36. The spindle is rotatable in the frame 1 and has screw threaded engagement with a hardened sleeve 37 which is rigidly carried in the head 34. Rotation of the spindle adjusts the length of the driving connection eon's so for the head thereb determining tlid-amount of pressure applie by the pattern 26 upon the work. The head 34 is' slidably held in the frame 1 by means of two gib plates 38 which are securely fastened to thoframe 1 by bolts 39, as shown in Fig. 3. Slide surfaces in the head are held between the gib plates 38 in the frame 1 for sliding movement with respect thereto.

The head 34 with the elements supported thereby is of considerable weight and provision is made for approximately balancing the same as follows: A link 40 is pivotally secured to the head at one end by means of a pin 41 and at its other end is connected with the rocker arm 43 by means of a pin 44. The rocker arm is pivot-ally carried by the overhanging arm 2 by means of a pin 45, the opposite end of the rocker arm is attached to two tie rods 46 by means of a pin 42. Each tie rod extends downwardly through a hole in the spring operated telescopic retaining sleeves 47 and 48. The tie rods 46 are threaded upon their lower ends to receive check nuts 49 (see Fig. 2), which are located immediately below and bear against the inner spring retaining sleeves 48. A. spring 50 positioned within each pair of the telescoping sleeves tends to normally press them apart. The lower sleeves 48 telescope within the sleeves 47 upon actuation of the head 34. The upper sleeves 47 are rigidly secured to the frame 1 by the bolts .51. Adjustment I to get the proper tension upon the springs 50 that the head 34 is normally maintained suspended, is made by adjusting the check nuts upon the threaded extremities of the tie rods.

The spindle 36 forming part of the driving connection for the head 34 is actuated vertically through connection with the cam 30 (see Fig. 2) which is rigidly secured to the cam shaft 25. The conncction'includes a lever 53 which is pivotally connected at one end to ablock 55 carried by the spindle 36 and at its opposite end carries a hardened roll 54 which bears against the cam surface. The block 55is locked in place upon the spindle 36 by the nut 57. A suitable adjustment of the spring 50 for the successful operation of the device is such that the head is pulled upwardly with an upward force of about thirty pounds. The upward pull of the head accordingly maintains the hardened roll 54 in engagement with the cam surface. As the cam rotates, the high spot thereof forces the hard roll thereby lowering the head 34. low spot of the cam comes in engagement with the hardened roll 54, the force of the springs is such as to cause the elevation of 54 outwardly When the the head. Overhanging shoulders 30 at 1 the juncture of the high-and low s ots of the cam insure that the hardened roll posi- 'tively follows the'surtace of the cam.

Y whereby it is moved transwrselyofthe platform 35 pairs in Screws 52, which are mounted in the bracket 132 are adjustable to raise or lower the work table as desired. One

of each pair of screws is adapted to push the platform from the bracket and the other is ada} ted to pull the same together.

ertical adjustment of'the movable head is provided for as follows: The spindle 36 engages apm 26" passes through'the bushing 134 which is rotatably mounted in j bushing is provided with a keyway throughout its length adapted to be engaged by a key projecting from the spindle. Bevel gear 245 projects rigidly from the bushing 134. A companion bevel gear 246 meshes with this gear and iscarried by a shaft 217 whichis rotatably mounted in arms 248 and 249 which extend from the bracket 132. A

hand wheel 250 is carried upon theshaft 247. Rotation oft-he hand wheel causes the bevel gear 246 to rotate .the spindle 36 thereby either shortening or lengthening the driving connection to the head 34. j v

The pedestal 59 projects downwardly from-the'head 3&and is provided at its base with a foot designed to carry the pattern 26.

The foot is made in two sections 60 and 61 (see Fig. 9), one of which 60 is secured to the pedestal for horizontal adjustment and the other 61 for vertical ad ustment.

The horizontally adjustable Section 60 is formed "of a body portion which is slotted at: its end to form a groove in which latch 62 is pivoted at 63. A spring 64 normally presses the hooked end of the latch into engagement with a pin 26 on-the form 26 thereby securing this end of the patternbut permitting pivotal movement of the same. Section 60 carries at its upper portion slide plates .64 in spaced relation which slide in grooves 65 in the pedestal. The slide plates are provided with a plurality of holes 66 which can be brought into alignment with holes in pedestal 59 and held in adjusted position by the binding screws 67. Upon removal of the binding screws, the foot piece can be adjusted in the slides to three previously dctern'iined positions. These adjustments are provided whereby forms of varying sizes can be afiixed to the pedestal.

The vertically adjustable foot piece 61 on the pattern 26 and is provided with a spindle 69 which extends vertically through an extending boss 70 in the pedestal'59 and is held suspended by the nut 72 which is threaded thereon. Nut 72 controls the extent to which the spindle can be lowered and nut 71 locks the adjustment. Pressing against the upper side of the lock nut 71 is a coil spring 73 which surrounds.

work table is thebracket 132. The- 'work 33. The lock nutthe spindle 69. The upper end' of the spring bears against" an extending boss 74; carried the spring is to normally maintain the spindle in'its lower-most position. A-stop screw 75 for the upper end of spindle 69 passes through, the boss 74 in screw threaded engagement therewith and can be locked in adjusted position by the nut 76.

The pattern used for cutting underbeveled soles is o'ffthe type described in my previously filed'joint application. Serial No. 120,315 filed July 3, 1926, the side walls 26 by] the pedestal 59. The purpose of i I i of which are underbeveled. The extension of the side .walls is increased around the sole portion and instep portion of the put- The head 34 may be manually operated by tan in order that it will function to force the knife 83 laterally as the knife is raised.

bv tie rod 7 8.with the driving connection for l1 8d'34. The lower endof the tie rod is forked and straddles the pedal 77 and has a sliding fit therewith through a pin 79which extends rigidly from the pedal into the elongated slot 80 in each fork. A spring 81 attached-to the frame 1 normally maintains the pedal in suspended position with the pin 7 9 in the lower portion ofthe slot 80. The purpose of the pin and slot connection between the pedal and tie rod is to permit of movement ofthe tie rod vertically with the head 34 during operation of the machine without causing movement of the pedal.

'Vcrtical adjustment of the foot piece 61 must vary with the thickness of the material to be cut in order that the-form 26 shall hold the material securely at all points. justment is' accomplished as follows: The pedal 7 7 is pressed downwardly to draw the tie rod 78 and head 34; down until the form 26 carried by thefoot ieces engages the 6 is now released and. the screw 75 is elevated for clearanceof the foot spindle 69. The locking and adjusting nuts 71 and 72 upon the foot spindle are elevated. The form- 26 is then This adlid forced by the spring 73 into correct posit-ion against the material to be cut. Thereupon the adjusting and locki'ng nuts 71 and 72 are brought into positi pn bearing against the boss 70 of the pedestal 59. The adjustable -positioning screw 7 is also brought into position bearln against thoend of the. spindle 69 and ocked by means of the lock.

movement of thespindle 69. v

When the machine is to be used for cutting under beveled soles for rolled edge footwear. an additional adjustment canbe made which will provide for withdrawal of the knife aftcr'cutting a blank without mutilation of the blank. Having adjusted the screw 75 as just described for the particular stock being 'cut, provision is made for a.

. nut 76. The set screw 75 limits the upward slight amount of vertical play of the spindle 69 below the screw 75. The pattern is provided with an under beveled edge which the' knife is to follow. The bevel at the heel porof the beveled edge around the sole and instep of the pattern is increasedsothat it @nctions in the' following way: In cuttinga J'fe, the knife. is lowered with'the pattern until it passes entirel through the stock and contacts with .the li acking material 215, but due to a slight forward inclination of .the pattern by reason of the pressure of spring 73 this end of the pattern halts in its vertical movement before the knife does, and hence the inclined knife also moves slightly laterally inward on the bevelled edge of the pattern into proper cutting position. The knife enters the stock while traveling from the heel portion of the pattern around the sole portion and makes a complete revolution around the pattern while cutting the stock; and while passing a second time around the sole pattern is elevated with the pattern from the stock. The reverse action now takes place the knife rising slightly ahead of the forward end of the pattern, and as a result the knife moves laterally outward on the bevelled-edge of the pattern as the knife is withdrawing from the work so that the overlying beveled sole edge is not injured as would happen if the knife withdrew vertically. The vertical play is provided for by adjusting the, two nuts 71 and 72 upon the foot spindle 69. The distance which the. nuts are removed is determincd by trial and will be varied with the depth through which the .knife extends through the stock. A suitable amount of play in the usual practice is about of an inch. Embossing mechanism.While the material tobe cut is held firmly against the bed plate by the form 26, it is also subjected to an embossing operation. This is effected through an embossing die 32 which is movable through the sole pattern independently thereof, being carried by a slide 118 which is actuated in timed relation with the move ment. of the head 34 as will be described. The source of power is derived from the main drive supplied to the cam shaft 25 b which operates the .cam 31. The periphery of this cam 31 is engaged-by a hardened roll 86'carried by the extremity of the rocker arm,87 which latter is pivoted upon a stud 88 in the frame 1., The opposite end of the rocker arm 87-is pivotally connected with the rod 90 through. pin 91. The cam 31 ,rotates in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 2. The roll 86 closely follows its surface by reason of the pressure exerted by spring 92 extending from afhook 93 attached high engaged by the cam 94 forcing the.

near th e opposite extremity of the rocker 'arm and connecting with the frame 1. This spring 92 is maintained under pressure at all times. It is desirable that the hardened roll 86 accurately follow the.. cam surface when assing from a high tora' l'ow spot and the 0 lowing elements are provided to effect the same. A-lever 97 is pivotally secured opposite end of the lever 97 carries a hardened roll which is adapted to be engaged by a-secondary cam 94"which is attached to the side of the cam 31. The two cams are so arranged that as the roll 86 passes the spot of the cam 31, the roll 95. ill be r0 l outwardly and thereby causing the roll 86 to closely follow the cam' 31. The arrangement of cams and leversjust described actuates the rod 90 vertically.

otally connected to a bell latter is pivoted to the overhanging arm 2 by the pintle 104. The opposite end of the bell crank is bifurcated and receives a swivel block 105. A rod 106 projects throu h the swivel'block. A spring 108 positioned upon the rod 106 abuts at one end against the shoulder 106 and at its other end against the swivel block. Nuts 107 secure the rod 106 in place. The spring provides for resilience in the pressure of the rocker arm '103 against the rod 106. There is a second adjustment of the rod112 is made before the die will bear against the material to the movable in the channel in the pedestal 59, the slide being held by plates 117.

At its lowerend, theembossing slide 118 is slightly enlarged to provide a head to which the medallion adjusting bracket 118 can .be secured. The head is provided with broken horizontally disposed circulargrooves so that corresponding ribs .1 19 car- Rod 90 has screw threaded engagement at' its upper end with a sleeve 102 which is p111; crank 103 Whlli" nut. 114 and .is also threaded on the rod 112; Vertigo},

ossing each gauge of material in order that a stance the medallion block lion block adjusting ried by the. bracliet'-118 placed opposite the groovesafterwhich the bracket can be turned 90 to slide the ribs into the grooves, thereby securing the bracket to the head. A centering pin 120 pro ects from the head and is adapted to engage a slot in the bracket to assist the operator in the rapid positioning of the bracket in engagement with the'grooves. A spring ressed sna pin 121 in the head of the em ossing s li e is provided to engage a suitable recess in the bracket and thereby hold the bracketin. its proper position.

PrO]CtlIl from opposite ends of the lower 1 port t wo dies, one for embossing the size and the other for embossing atrademark or l in which casea relatively large eration is efiected entirely "pact or blow of the die the bracket 118 to b and the work bed other emblem, I in position, dove-tailed projections are secured to the bottom of the medallion block through which are adapted to project s ring pressed detents 126. The dies 32 an 127 are provided with dove-tailed grooves fitting thevrespective projections and are held in position by the engagement of the cletents 126 with corresponding recesses in the dies. As shown in Figs. land 9, the machine is arranged for cutting a relatively largesole,

and medallion block.- 124 are also used. In order to take up the strain'upon the projecting portion of the bracket 118, a thrust rod 129 is provided, the base of which rests upon and the upper portion of which'extends upwardly through bosses 131 projecting from the embossing slide 118. The ,upper end, of t hethrust rod 129 is provided with a depression adapted to be engaged by an adjustinp screw which is threaded into the. upper boss 131. y

It will be seen from the arrangement of cams 3Q and 31 that the die is operated to bear against the blank at 'a time after the pattern is forced against the stock and that the die is raised before the blank is raised. The die is forced against the stock with an increasing pressure according to the design of spring 108. When. sufficient pressure compresses this spring swivel tacts with shoulder 108*. The embossing opwithont sharp imagainst the stock. Uuttz'nlg meclzanz'sm.While the material e cut is clamped between the form 26 29, the cutting mechanism is functioning. Driving means for the cutting mechanism lies through the shaft 22 which drives sleeve 135, which in turn rig- In order to secure the dies latter is secured by bracket 118 block 105 con idly .carries the bevel gear 136. Since the cuttmg mechanism is carried by the movable head 34, it isnecessary that there be an adjustable driving connection for the cutting.

'70 the shaft 22 with four keys 137 projecting mechanism. This is secured by providing therefrom, which keys slidably' engage four keyways in the sleeve 135. The sleeve is carried in ball bearings 138 which are-secured in a housing 139. The housing is rigidly secured to thesliding'head 34 by,

any other suitable is thus adapted to sliding movement as well as transmit a rotary movement of 22. The spiral bevel gear 136 meshes a companion gear 140 carried on an' means'of screws or in manner. The sleeve compensate for a VOIiZICZIl shaft with upper horizontal shaft.14l which is rotat ably mounted in the head34 through bearings 142. The gear is adjustably se-.'.

cured to the shaft 141 throughratchet teeth (not shown) at engage similar teeth on to the shaft. gear in adjusted position. I The forward end of the shaft 141 is tubular and-is telescopia collar 143 secured to a truck guiding plate 27. The latter is slidably mounted in channels 148 formed in extensions 149 of the depending side arms the rear of the gear wh A bolt 144 serves to lock the V '90" callykeyed in any desired manner to a shaft 150 which are in turn secured to the head 34.

Mounted on the shaft 145 is a gear '151 meshing with a gear 152 journalled on a short shaft 153 mounted in the truck guid .ing plate 27. Rigid with the gear 152 is a sprocket 154 over which runs a truck driving chain 155, this chain at its forwardend passing over three small sprockets (Figs: 5 and 8), one of which ing in the bonnet 146 by means of the stud shaft 157 and nut 158. Sprocket 156 is positioned vertically above the heel point ofthe pattern 26 and slightly in front thereof. Two other sprockets 159 and 159". are also carried by the bonnet 146 but their shafts 160 are eccentrically mounted in the adjustable bushings 161 rotatably adjustable in the bonnet 146. Hence, by rotating the I bushings161, the sprockets 159 can be moved to vary the tension of the chain and then locked "in position by the nuts 162. Other conveyors can be substituted for the chain ifdesired.

The chain 155 has attached to it by a heavy link, a blbck 163. means is a chain in 155 which is threaded into the link and is provided with a pilot orextension which fits into a hole in the slide block 163-. A spring 155 holds the pin in position. By virtue, ofhaving the driving connectionthrough the pin 155", strain caused by jamming of any of the moving parts will cause the pin, rather than an will} The connecting 156, has a fixed bear expensive element of device, to break. arm 184' is provided with a roll 190 which --Thein ie replaced when broken. The rivmg forthe knife are transmltted from the conveyor through the pin.

6 Block 163 has slidingengagement. with an extension of the plate 164 through a suitable tongue and groove connection therewith. Plate 164 is guided in its course by being attached to a lower plate 165 through bolts 166 which pass through a continuous slot 168 in the ide 27. Anti-friction rolls 167 surround t e. bolts. Thus an anti-friction slide is created which follows the slot 168 in the guide plate 27,-making' two complete revolutionsfor the operation of cuttin {but one solo in anon-fibrous material, suc as truck or carna e 169 which .is attached 'to rubber. The slot'168 extends in the oblong outline of a shoe sole.

The cutting general mechanism comprises the the plate 165 y the same bolts 166' that 5 bind the plates 164 and 165 together. The

. 'truck 169;ha'rries a swinging bracket 170,

- namely 172, bearing against the guide 27 to take the'upwarfl thrust of the truck and the other roll 173 taking the downward pull. by bearingagainst the plate 17}. Bracket 17 O-is secured to, the upstanding projection 169 of th truck 169by means of "two set the rolls to engage guide 27 and plate 174. The ,truck 169 is rovided also with two extendi v bosses 1 5 and 176 from which an exteiiding trailer arm 177 is pivoted on conical bearings. This arm is provided with two rolls 178 and 179, roll 178 bearing on the plate 174 and roll 179 extending into the truck guiding slot 168 in order to maintain the roll 178 in alignment against the plate 174. Plate 174 follows the general .course of the slot 168. The trailer arm functions to take the rearward thrust of the in either direction, the bracket 180 is caused to travel cross-wise upon the carriage 169.

..The knife carriage pivoting arm 184 is carried between the arms of the bracket 180 insuitable adjustable cone bearings 185 and 186. Arm 184' carries the supporting plate 188 by means of the spindle 189 which is I rigidly attachedto the plate' 188,- passing Bv revolving the knob 183 of screw 181 bears against the hardened surface of the carriage 169 to take the local upward thrust action out of the arm'o'ccasioned by the knife 83 enetrating the material to be cut.

he plate spindle 189 carries positioned just beneath the arm 184 an arm 192 swiveled to the spindle and hearing at its outer end a roll 193. A roll 193 is carried by the spindle '189. A; second spindle projecting mm the plate 188 carries swivelly secured thereto an arm 194 which has at its "outer end a roll 195. A roll 188 is carried bly the second spindle. In order to allow t e path of the arm 184 and supported parts to'more closely approximate the form of the sole to be cut, a device 28, known as-a leader orguide, is supplied' (Figs. 1 and 3). This leader has a centralopening of the approximate shape but .not necessarily of the same area as the sole to be cut, and extending around this central opening is a guide flange 196, the inner side of which is en- 4 gaged bv'the rolls 193 and 195, while the outer side is engaged by the rolls 193 and 188. Asa result, the plate 188 and supported parts are guided in a ath determined y the leader flange 196.

latter isslidable in channels 199 formed in extensions 200 .of the arms 150.

e leader is connected ;to a leader carrier 198 (*Figefi), which 0 v Rigidly mounted in the plate 188 is a def screws 17 j; which are ad ustable to ca sepending 'stud 201 on which. is pivota1ly mounted a knife block holder 202, which holder. hasa direct bearing on. the lower end ofthe stud and has loosely connected thereto a tension adjusting ring 203 surpression spring 204, one end of which is attached to the plate 188' while the other is attached'to the tension adjusting ring 203. The ring is adjustably secured in position upon the stud 201 by means of a set screw 205. The spring tends to force the knife block holder laterally on its support 201 and a suitable stop (not shown) projects from the plate 188 to limit the lateral ovement. I,n order to relieve stud201 o so ne of the upward thrust to" which thegknife bloek holder is subjected during the cutting operation, a roller 206..is provided adapted to bear against the plate 188. The knife block holder carries in a suitable recess 207, the knife block 203. This block is adjustable in the'knife block holder-in a vertical dire:- tion by means of the nut 209 which has screw threaded engagement with av pintle- 209 extending fron1-'th.-. block 208 into the holder. A-set screw 209' secures the pintle in the holder. This vertical adjustment pep that the same knife block serves to hold a. knife for cutting either a top or under bevelled sole,

The'knife 83 is designed to travel around the pattern at a rapid rate of speed. Patte'rns' as commonly constructed are provided with a pointed projection at the heel portion designed ,to provide a sole which when attached'to a shoe will have a pointed extension which will project up the bark seam of the heel higher than any other portion of the cut sole. With the knife traveling at a high rate of speed around the pattern, the throw of the knife in rounding the sharp projection will cause a jerky mo.- tion of the same. Provision is therefore made for slowing up the speed oftravel of the knife at this portion of its travel. The main truck 169 for the knife through its supports must accurately follow in its course of travel, a slot 168 in the guide 27. This slot extends with elongated sides and circular ends in a course approximating the outlines of a sole, the chain 155 extends approximately parallel with the slot throughout itscourse except at the portion above the projection of the pattern. Here the sprockets are so positioned upon the bonnet 146 that the chain must travel in a wide path corresponding to the two sides of an isosceles triangle while rounding theheel portion of 'its circuit, while the truck 169 is passing through a small are. lVhen the chain pin 155 rounds the apex of the triangle, which is positioned in vertical alignment with the heel point or projection of the pattern in a plane at right angles to the direction of travel of the knife, the cutting mechanism changes the course of travel of the knife to the opposite side of the heel point of the pattern. The reverse action of the block 163 causes a slight pause as the knife turns the point of the heel. \Vith the chain pin 155 traveling at a uniformspeed over a greater distance at the turn than the carriage 169, the carriage must necessarily travel more slowly until the pin 155 has rounded the turn.

The elements previously described by which the knife 83 is suspended below the chain155 are so arranged that the cutting edge thereof is always positioned during its travel abreast of the center point of the driving forces which pass through the pirf'155.

As a. result, when .the pin 155' rounds the apex of the outline of a isosceles triangle formed by the three sprockets 156, 159 and,

159, the cutting edge of the knife is also at the apex of the point of the heel projection and as the pin 155* travels in its reverse path, the knife is free to do'the same. Strain upon the cutting mechanism when rounding the turn is therefore eliminated,

Bonnet and"leader actuating means.. When cutting an intermediate size of solo the drive. bonnet 146 and leader 28 can be left stationary. However, when cutting a larger size, it is desirable thatboth the'bonnet and leader be given a plus movement in synchronis'm with the knife at each endof its travel around'the large sole pattern, in orderthat the guide paths formed by the slot 168 and leader flange 196 may more closely approximate in length the length of the sole pattern. For a similar reason, it is desirable- -\\hen cutting a small sole that the bomi'et146 and. leader 28 be givena minus movement.

To accomplish this purpose the following 220, in the head 28, By means of the ratchet teeth suitable adj ustment is obtained for the purposes of timing the throw of the leader and bonnet with respect to the position of the cutter. Interlocking of the two shafts 217 and 219 is accomplished by means of the bolt 221, the body of which passes through a suitable hole in the shaft- 219 and is screwed tightly into the shaft 217. A sprocket is secured to the shaft 219 and acts asa driving means for thechain222. The chain passes over an idler tension pulley 223 and around two similar sprockets 224 and 224, each of which actuates a duplicate mechanism, The

sprocket 224 is rigidly secured to a tubular shaft 226 journaled in the head 34. At its opposite end this shaft is formed with an extension block 227 provided with a dovetailed roove for the reception of a slide block 228.

rojecting from one side of the slide block 228 is a stud 229, carrying a shoe 230, while on itsopposite side the block 228 has attached thereto a vertical rack adapted to cooperate with a pinion .232 secured on the end of a shaft 233 mounted in a locking sleeve 234 within the shaft 226. Pinned to the opposite end of theshaft 233 is an operating knob 235, The shaft 233 is enlarged conically at the base of the pinion 232. The locking sleeve 234 is provided with a split and conical end'surfa ce adapted to engage the conical end of shaft 233. 'Aknob 237 is threaded'upon the "end of the tubulaiz shaft 22G and by means of a tongue and groove connection has rotatable engagement with looking sleeve 234, By turning the knob 235 attached to spindle 233, the pinion 232 is actuated so that'the position of the slide in the shit-2'39 thus creating a v variable c knob 237 willforce the locking sleeve into engagement with the he slot 239 to thereby give to the drive bonnet'synused, the sl one direction in t a plus movement chronous with the in effect lengthening O is adjusted in? the opposite direction, thereby imparting a upper end of the rock arm 2fl0 actuated by the gear 22;Pis connected bylink 231 to the feeder carrier 232, and by varying the position of the second slide block 230, the leader 28 can be given a plus or mi synchronous with the moveme as above described for the drive bonnet,-

Opemtzon.In operation, the desired size of sole pattern 26 is attached to the sole pattern supp a sole other than an intermediate The desired brand and size ossing die to them, size is to be cut;

the sole pattern.

upon the stock is adjustedby hand wheel 250.

The operator assembles a strip of sole stock 33 on a second strip 215 formed of rag stock and places the s p table. The rag stock serves to receive the lower end of the cutting blade and thereby prevent injury to the work bed 29. The machine is then started, the stock fed beneath the sole pattern, the head 34 and pedestal 59 lowered and the stock clamped between t sole pattern and the work bed 29. T actual cutting" the sole begins with the knife preferably entering the stock while traveling from the heel around the sole. The knife travels pattern to comp'lete'the cutting and then rank, Turning the the movement of the knife orcompletely aroundthe sole h the/head is raised, carrying with it the Thro hout its travel time, pattern, and knife. around the pattern the under-bevelled sole, the spindle 6}? having tockso that'the knife is1- forced laterally and consequently does not cut into the blank. The '"die' is the pattern a new lfiaife continues around is fed beneath the portion of the stock the head again starts its second revolution,

0nd cuttingoper'atmn' y around the pattern, and the dies then start to rise. As the stock is still clamped by the pattern at this time, the latter acts as a next sole cutting operation begins. By reason of the thrust rod 129 and th 124, the dies may the thrust of the b u on the dies, and by reason of the adjusta ility-of the dies in a longitudinal direction, they :may be set at any desired point at the be readily adjustedso that nt size.

been shown ahddescribed, it'is numerous mOdl vention has obvious that e is maintained of a sole cutting oper rising- Y The dies then remain I e adjustability of the medallion block lock 124 will be centralized ttern when the latter is fications in the details will suggest themselves to those I" skilled in the art, audit is not g thus described my'inventionwhat .andj'desire to protect by Lqttersn I in its guiding surface, severing means, a conveyor for drawing the severing means around the pattern with the path of the I conveyor varyingfrom that of the severing means,'means for connecting the severing means to the conveyor, means for maintainingthe severing means in engagement with the pattern, and means permittmglateral play, of 'the severing means with respect to means, an endless conveyor for drawing the severing means around the pattern in a path w ch diverges from the shape of the attern means for connectin the severin 7 b means and conveyor, means for maintaining the severing means in engagement with the pattern, and means permitting lateral. play of the severing means to a greater'extentthan the divergence of the corresponding portions of the paths of the severing means and conveyor.

I 3. In a machine for severing blanks from sheet material, a pattern having localized projections, conveyor means adapted to travel above and in the general outline of the pattern, severing means. means connecting the severing means to the conveyor means whereby the severing, means is maintained abreast of the center point through which th forces of traction are applied from the conveyor means, means for holding the severing means in conta t with the pattern, and means For permitting lateral play of the severing means to as great an extent as the amount of divergenceof the paths of the severing means and conveyor means.

4. In a machine for severing blanks from sheet material, severing means, means for guiding the severing means in a crooked path, a conveyor fox: drawing the severing means along the path, connecting means between the severing means and conveyor maintaining said severing means abi'teast of the center point. through which the forces of traction are applied'from the conveyor, and means permitting lateral play of -the severing means to as great an extent as the divergence of the paths of the severing means and conveyor.

5; In a machine. for severing blanks from sheet material. severing means, means for guiding the severing means in an endless path, an endless conveyor for drawing the severing means .along the path, connecting aucans between .the severing means and con- \'e \'o r .\vl1ere'..-y.-sai(l severingmeans is maintained in alignment with the center point of appli iati'on :l-rom the conveyor of the forces of traction in a plane at right angles-to the path of travel ofthe severing means, and

means for permitting lateral play of the severing means to as great an extent as the amount of divergence of the paths of the conveyor and severing means. i

(3. In a machine for severing blanks from sheet material, a pattern adapted to engage the sheet material, severing means for the. material, drive means for the severing means, and means for'conducting the drive means in an increased path of travel with respect to the severing means at localized portions of the path whereby the speed of the severing means is varied. y

' 7. In a machine for severing blanksfrom sheet material, severing means, means for 8 guiding the severing means in a predetermined path, -a conveyor connected tbthe severing means vfor drawing the severing means along the path, and means for'causing path than the severing means at a localized portion of its travel whereby a variable speed is given to the severing means. V

8. In a machine for severing blanks from path having sharp turnsthereim an endless conveyor connected to the severing means for drawing the severing means along the path,

veyor around a longer path than the severing means at the sharp turns of the guiding means whereby variable speed is givento the severing means.

9. In a machine for severing blanks from 100 sheet material, guiding pattern for a cutting means, means for disposing the same in contact with the sheet material, acuttlng means, means for causing the latter to'undercut the material in the outline of thepattel'n, 105

lacts whereby the cutting means is moved 'll0 laterally while being elevated.

10. In a machine for severing blanks from- I sheet material, a guiding pattern for acutting means, means for disposing the'same 1n.

contact with the sheet material, a cutting '115 means, means for passing the latter throu h l-liematerial under cutting the same in t e outline of the pattern, meansvfor withdrawing the. pattern and cutting. means, and

means whereby. a portion of.'the pattern is 1:40

held in contact with the sheet material until the cutting means is removed therefrom.

11. In a machine for severing blanks from sheet material, a guiding pattern for cutting means, means for disposing the same intone 125 -tact with the sheet matrial, cutting means,

means for causing the latter to .under-eut the sheetmatci ial in the 'form' of the pattern, means "for, elevating the cutting means from the sheet material, and means carried by 13,0

movement of the conveyor around a longer sheet material, severing means, means for guiding the severing means in an endless and means for causing movement of the corithe pattern for causing lateral movement of the cutting means while being elevated.-

12. In a machine for severing blanks from sheet material, a guiding pattern for cutting means, means for disposing the same in contact with the sheet material, cutting means. meafts--=for causing the latter to under-cut the sheet material in the form of the pattern, means for withdrawim the cutting means from the sheet material, and a flange carried by the pattern =l"or caus'ng lateral movement of the cutting means while the same isbeing elevated.

.13. In a machine for cutting blanks from sheet material, a work bed adapted to carry "the material. a'support, a vertieall y movable pattern carried by the support adapted to cooperate with the bed to grip the material, and an en'ibossing member movable through the pattern to indepentlently compress the material against the bed.

- 14. In a machine for cutting blanks from sheet material, a shaft, an arm carried thereby, aspindle carried by the shaft and connected with the arm for adjusting the arm radially with respect to the shaft, and a locking sleeve interposed between the shaft and. the spindle adapted to engage the spindle whereby the arm is held in adjusted p itong 15. In a machine for cutting blanks from sh t material, a shai' t, -an arm carried thereby, a spindle carried by the'shaft and connected with the arm for adjusting the arm radially with respect to the shaft a portion of the spindle being tapered, and a looking sleeve interposed between the shaft and the spindle. and provided with a tapered portion adapted to engage the tapered portion of the spindle whereby the arm held in adjusted position. v

1601!) a macl'iine for cutting blanks from sheet material a truck adapted to be drawn in movement across' the sheetmaterial, an arm pivoted to and extending laterally from the truck to a position beneath the same. anti-friction means associated with the arm adapted'to bear against the truck to take the upward thrust, and severing means con- 'nected to the arm.

17. In a maehine t'orrutt-in blanks from sheet material, a truck ada in movement across the s ieet material, a truck guide extending adjacent tlie'ipath of the truck. an arnrpivoted' to and extending ltliClftllXflOlft the truck to a position beneath the same. anti-friction means assoczated Wit-hi the arm adapted to bear againstthe truclr to take the upward thrust, a thrust member" pro ecting from the truck adapted to bear against the truck guide to take the rearward thrust of thetruek, and severing means con-' nected to the arm.

tedto bedmwn 18. In a machine for under-bevel-cutting vieldably"mounted adjacent theother end,-

blank (titling means yieldablv eugaging the bevelled patternedge, means for driving the cutting means around the pattern, and means other parts.

2t). In a maehine for cutting blanks from sheet. plastic and elastic material, a plane surfaced 'work bed and pattern relatively movable to clamp the material, means for entt'ng the material around the patternwvhile elamped, a female die movable through the pattern and cooperating with the bed to em-. boss the blank during a cutting operation, andaetnating means for imparting apre: liminary yielding but-heavy pressure to the die. said actuat'ngflneans' eing retractable prior to the completion of a cutting opera,- tion, whereby the pattern acts as a stripper for the die. 1

Signed at New 'I-Iaven,-,county of New Haven, State of Connecticut, this'3rd day of January, 1927." V v r ROLANDI}. ANDERSON.

for relatively moving the woi'k bed and said i 

